Suzhou Moat

Suzhou Moat

As part of the Grand Canal, the Suzhou Moat encircles the beautiful ancient city of Suzhou like a jade belt. In May 2005, the Suzhou municipal government launched the Ancient City Moat Scenic Preservation Project, with the first phase completed and opened to the public.

The under-construction moat scenic belt will not only form a green loop around Suzhou but also connect many of the city’s historical and cultural heritage sites, making it a popular tourist route for both domestic and international visitors.

Upon arriving in Suzhou via the train station, North Bus Station, or South Gate ferry terminal along the moat, you can easily board a cruise boat. Along the journey, you’ll enjoy views of the ancient city wall ruins, the romantically named Couple’s Retreat Garden (Ou Garden), the century-old Soochow University, the longest existing multi-arch ancient bridge in China — the Baodai Bridge, the world’s only water-and-land gate at Panmen, the “No.1 Bridge of Wu Region” Wumen Bridge, the recently excavated ancient Xu Gate, and Changmen, known as “the most prosperous and elegant place in the bustling world.” You can also take part in various activities such as water weddings, water sports, lantern floating, ancient city gate opening ceremonies, dragon boat races, and the Suzhou Birthday celebration. The route is lined with leisure facilities featuring authentic Suzhou-style teahouses, restaurants, and modern coffee bars. At the former site of the First Silk Factory of Suzhou, where the ancient tomb of the Three Kingdoms hero Sun Ce is located, you can purchase genuine Suzhou silk. In the evening, enjoy distinctive performances of local Suzhou operas in the Night Garden of the Master-of-Nets Garden. With the gentle ripples of the water, you can breathe in the scent of the river, feel the true pulse of Wu culture, and experience the unique charm of an Eastern water city.

A cruise around the ancient city along the moat offers views of attractions such as the Panmen Three Scenes, Hanshan Temple, and Midu Bridge. The cruise boats travel at speeds of 12–16 km/h, with the full circuit taking approximately 70 minutes. Docking stations include the South Gate Ferry Terminal, Xinshi Bridge Ancient Canal Dock, and Midu Bridge Dock.